--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Decide to be happy, knowing it's an…" description: "\"Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.\" — Denis Waitley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg" --- # Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit… ![“Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.” quote by Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg) > “Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.” [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness is a cultivated attitude, not a reward; it comes from daily habits. **In simple terms:** Happiness is a habit, not a payoff. Key Takeaway Practice gratitude daily. Themes psychology self‑help positivity Mood optimistic motivational Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - morning routines - journaling - stress management Key Concepts habit formation attitude control Questions to Reflect On - What habit boosts your mood? - How can you reframe setbacks? A Different Perspective Habits require consistency to be effective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-habit-3995518/) [Decide Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decide-happy-535703/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habit Gained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit-gained-3995519/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Knowing Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing-attitude-3995517/) [Payoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/payoff/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) ## Related quotes > [Expect the best; convert problems into opportunities; be dissatisfied with the status quo; focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/expect-the-best-convert-problems-into-opportunities-be-dissatisfied/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [If YOU want to BUILD and MAINTAIN a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, get into the habit of LIVING IN THE PRESENT and DOING IT NOW.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv-khera/if-you-want-to-build-and-maintain-a-positive-attitude-get-into-the/) [Shiv Khera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiv-khera/) > [Awesome people have amazing attitudes and do thing's in a unique way. If you want to build and maintain an awesome attitude , then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simpleman/awesome-people-have-amazing-attitudes-and-do-thing-s-in-a-unique-way/) [Simpleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simpleman/) > [Awesome people have awesome attitudes and do things awesomely. If you want to build and maintain an awesome attitude, get into the habit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricardo-housham/awesome-people-have-awesome-attitudes-and-do-things-awesomely-if-you/) [Ricardo Housham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricardo-housham/) > [Make a list of your current wants and desires. Next to each, put down what benefit or payoff there would be when you achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/make-a-list-of-your-current-wants-and-desires-next-to-each-put-down/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“A positive attitude eventually begets positive experiences. Choose to be happy. Decide you are well or happy instead of unwell or unhappy, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-papp/a-positive-attitude-eventually-begets-positive-experiences-choose-to/) [James K. Papp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-papp/) > [I'm trying to decide whether to be happy or sad. We have to be better than this or we will struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-richt/i-m-trying-to-decide-whether-to-be-happy-or-sad-we-have-to-be-better/) [Mark Richt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-richt/) > [“Decide to be HAPPY when you start your day.React with JOY whatever comes your way.You may be hurt by what people say ,but don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/decide-to-be-happy-when-you-start-your-day-react-with-joy-whatever/) [RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [“Decide to be happy under all conditions, let happiness be your habit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/decide-to-be-happy-under-all-conditions-let-happiness-be-your-habit/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Decide to be happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/decide-to-be-happy/) [Author Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/author-name/) > [“Nobody has the power to make you unhappy. Only you decide how happy you want to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alinka-rutkowska/nobody-has-the-power-to-make-you-unhappy-only-you-decide-how-happy/) [Alinka Rutkowska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alinka-rutkowska/) > [Happiness is a decision, not an experience. You can decide to be happy without what you thought you needed in order to be happy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/happiness-is-a-decision-not-an-experience-you-can-decide-to-be-happy/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [“Every person should decide for himself how happy, or unhappy, our society might be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/every-person-should-decide-for-himself-how-happy-or-unhappy-our/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Decide to be HAPPY when you start your day.React with JOY whatever comes your way.You may be hurt by what people say ,but dont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/decide-to-be-happy-when-you-start-your-day-react-with-joy-whatever-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Decide to be happy Render others happy Proclaim your joy Love passionately your miraculous life Do not listen to promises Do not wait for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muller/decide-to-be-happy-render-others-happy-proclaim-your-joy-love/) [Robert Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muller/) ## More by Denis Waitley > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You can only do good if you feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-can-only-do-good-if-you-feel-good/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Life is self-fulfilling prophecy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/life-is-self-fulfilling-prophecy/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [There never was a winner, who wasn't a beginner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/there-never-was-a-winner-who-wasn-t-a-beginner/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The greatest limitations you will ever face will be those you place on yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-greatest-limitations-you-will-ever-face-will-be-those-you-place/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The easiest thing is to make sure you feel happy and satisfied in this moment. Setting long term goals is much more effort taking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-easiest-thing-is-to-make-sure-you-feel-happy-and-satisfied-in/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You must get money to chase you, but never let it catch up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-must-get-money-to-chase-you-but-never-let-it-catch-up/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Contentment is for cows; a challenging purpose is for people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/contentment-is-for-cows-a-challenging-purpose-is-for-people/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The season for enjoying the fullness of life - partaking of the harvest, sharing the harvest with others, and reinvesting and saving portions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-season-for-enjoying-the-fullness-of-life-partaking-of-the-harvest/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Goals are like stepping-stones to the stars. They should never be used to put a ceiling or a limit on achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/goals-are-like-stepping-stones-to-the-stars-they-should-never-be-used/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The two greatest fear busters are knowledge and action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-two-greatest-fear-busters-are-knowledge-and-action/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Positive self-expectancy is the first, most outwardly identifiable quality of a top-achieving, winning human being. Positive self-expectancy is pure and simple optimism: real enthusiasm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/positive-self-expectancy-is-the-first-most-outwardly-identifiable/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The seeds of greatness are ideas you learn from people who've been great in their service to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-seeds-of-greatness-are-ideas-you-learn-from-people-who-ve-been/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Discipline is doing within, while you do without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/discipline-is-doing-within-while-you-do-without/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) [Explore all 316 Denis Waitley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denis Waitley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attitude-a-habit-gained-from-daily/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attitude-a-habit-gained-from-daily/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/denis-waitley-977_attitude_decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attit_2070510.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Decide to be happy, knowing it's an attitude, a habit gained from daily practice, and not a result or payoff.” — Denis Waitley", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Denis Waitley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Decide to be happy, knowing it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attitude-a-habit-gained-from-daily/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/decide-to-be-happy-knowing-it-s-an-attitude-a-habit-gained-from-daily/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```